, the European Union has signed security and defence pacts with two countries: Moldova and Japan.
Rather than concluding treaties or alliances with external partners, the European Union's approach towards security and defence has mostly been focused towards what has proven to be a slow and gradual internal consolidation since the 1950s. For example, in the early post-war period, the Western Union and the European Defence Community both failed and were cannibalized by NATO. An initial impetus towards foreign policy coordination was brought about by the European Political Cooperation, which was replaced by the Common Foreign and Security Policy pillar in 1993. The European Security Strategy was launched in 2003, and was replaced by an updated European Union Global Strategy in 2016. The Treaty of Lisbon introduced the Common Security and Defence Policy, which, among other things, established a mutual defence clause between EU countries for the very first time.[1]
Since 2016, a number of new initiatives were set in motion to actualize the new security strategy in the wake of the Russian annexation of Crimea, Brexit, and the election of Donald Trump. Among these are Permanent Structured Cooperation, Coordinated Annual Review on Defence, European Defence Fund, Military Planning and Conduct Capability, and Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space. There has also been a growing number of calls for the creation of a continental defence force or even that of an EU army, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The idea of increasing common defence capabilities also enjoys wide acceptance among EU citizens.[2]
In this context, in line with its internal coordination in terms of defence policy, the European Union has intensified its external engagement in this area by signing security and defence pacts with the following countries:
| Date | style=width:30em | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [3] | 21 May 2024 | After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moldova became the first country to sign a security and defense partnership with the European Union.[4] In order to enhance the country's resilience from external threats and destabilization efforts, the agreement is broadly aimed at addressing common security challenges, strengthening Moldova's defense sector, as well as expanding cooperation in areas of border management, crisis management, counter-terrorism, human trafficking, organized crime, cybersecurity and combating disinformation.[5] At the time of signing, Moldova had been an EU candidate since June 2022.[6] Moldovan neutrality is enshrined in its constitution. | |
| [7] | 1 November 2024 | Amid growing tensions with China, North Korea and Russia, Japan became the first Asian country to sign a security and defense partnership with the European Union.[8] Given their common strategic interests both in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific, the two parties agree to increase their cooperation in areas of maritime security, space security, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, counter-terrorism, and the exchange of information on defence industry-related matters.[9] Japan is in a military alliance with the United States, and is also a member of the Quad. The pacifist clause in the Japanese Constitution outlaws war as a means to settle international disputes. |
Keir Starmer's cabinet has also shown interest in a security pact between the United Kingdom and the European Union.[10] [11]